Stimulating neutrophil function to treat inflammatory bowel disease

ABSTRACT

Immune stimulatory amounts of hematopoietic colony stimulating factors are administered to patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The factors include G-CSF and GM-CSF. These factors induce and maintain remission of the disease and its manifestations, whether within the intestine or without.

This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No.60/119,842 filed Feb. 12, 1999 and utility application Ser. No.09/502,047, filed Feb. 11, 2000, abandoned. The disclosure of theprovisional application is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Crohn's disease persists as an enigma: without a deciphered etiology andwithout adequate therapy. Prevailing explanations of the pathogenesis ofCrohn's disease (Crohn's Disease) hold that the characteristic chronicintestinal inflammation results from an aberrant, activated immuneresponse generated against ubiquitous bacteria or bacterial productsthat gain access to the lamina propria, perhaps through a more permeableintestinal barrier. The abnormal reaction has been suggested to bemediated principally by T-cells enhanced by an intrinsic imbalance inpro-inflammatory and contra-inflammatory mediators. Thus, most therapyaims to counteract that inflammatory state with increasingly potent andsophisticated immune suppressants.

Current therapy, mostly directed at suppressing the inflammatoryprocess, remains inadequate both for the treatment of flares andmaintenance of remission. Steroids can be effective in short term usebut produce dependency in a significant proportion of patients. Whilecertain antibiotics appear promising, data are limited. Thus there is aneed in the art for effective method for treating inflammatory boweldiseases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a method of treating Crohn'sDisease.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method of treatingUlcerative Colitis.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method of treatingextrainstestinal manifestations of Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn'sdisease.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a method oftreating pouchitis.

It is yet another object of the invention to treat and reduce the riskof fistula recurrence.

These and other objects of the invention are provided by one or more ofthe embodiments described below. In one embodiment a method is providedof treating Crohn's Disease in which an immune stimulatory amount of anagonist of CD114 (Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor(G-CSFR)) is administered to a patient with Crohn's Disease notassociated with Glycogen Storage Disease 1b.

In another embodiment of the invention another method of treatingCrohn's Disease is provided. An immune stimulatory amount of an agonistof CD 116 (Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor) orCDw131 is administered to a patient with Crohn's Disease not associatedwith Glycogen Storage Disease 1b.

In yet another embodiment of the invention another method is provided oftreating Crohn's Disease. An immune stimulatory amount of an agonist ofCD114 (Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor (G-CSFR)) isadministered to a patient with Crohn's Disease not associated withChronic Granulomatous Disease.

In still another embodiment of the invention a method is provided oftreating Crohn's Disease in which an immune stimulatory amount of anagonist of CD116 (Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating FactorReceptor) or CDw131 is administered to a patient with Crohn's Diseasenot associated with Chronic Granulomatous Disease.

In even another embodiment of the invention another method is providedof treating Crohn's Disease. An immune stimulatory amount of an agonistof CD114 (Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor (G-CSFR)) isadministered to a patient with Crohn's Disease not associated with apresently characterized and identifiable specific neutrophil disordercaused by a genetic disease.

In yet another embodiment of the invention another method is provided oftreating Crohn's Disease. An immune stimulatory amount of an agonist ofCD116 (Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor) orCDw131 is administered to a patient with Crohn's Disease not associatedwith a presently characterized and identifiable specific neutrophildisorder caused by a genetic disease.

According to another aspect of the invention a method is provided oftreating Ulcerative Colitis. An immune stimulatory amount of an agonistof CD114 (Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor (G-CSFR)) isadministered to a patient with Ulcerative Colitis.

According to another aspect of the invention a method is provided oftreating Ulcerative Colitis. An immune stimulatory amount of an agonistof CD116 (Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor) orCDw131 is administered to a patient with Ulcerative Colitis.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of treating extraintestinalmanifestations of Ulcerative Colitis. An immune stimulatory amount of anagonist of CD114 (Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor(G-CSFR)) is administered to a patient with extraintestinalmanifestations of Ulcerative Colitis.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of treating extraintestinalmanifestations of Ulcerative Colitis. An immune stimulatory amount of anagonist of CD116 (Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating FactorReceptor) or CDw131 is administered to a patient with extraintestinalmanifestations of Ulcerative Colitis.

According to still another aspect of the invention a method is providedof treating pouchitis. An immune stimulatory amount of an agonist ofCD114 (Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor (G-CSFR)) isadministered to a patient with pouchitis.

According to still another aspect of the invention a method is providedof treating pouchitis. An immune stimulatory amount of an agonist ofCD116 (Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor) orCDw131 is administered to a patient with pouchitis.

According to still another aspect of the invention a method is providedof preventing or reducing the risk of fistula recurrence. An immunestimulatory amount of an agonist of CD114 (Granulocyte ColonyStimulating Factor Receptor (G-CSFR)) is administered to a patient withCrohn's disease who has previously had a fistula, whereby the risk ofrecurrence of a fistula is reduced.

According to still another aspect of the invention a method is providedof preventing or reducing the risk of fistula recurrence. An immunestimulatory amount of an agonist of CD116 (Granulocyte-Macrophage ColonyStimulating Factor Receptor) or CDw131 is administered to a patient withCrohn's disease who has previously had a fistula, whereby the risk ofrecurrence of a fistula is reduced.

The present invention thus opens a new realm of treatment modalities forinflammatory bowel diseases which have proven refractory to discovery ofsafe and effective ministrations. Contrary to the prior paradigm in theart of treating inflammatory bowel diseases with immunosuppressiveagents, the present invention uses agents known to be immunostimulatoryto treat, prevent, and maintain remission of such diseases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the response of 17 patients to a 12-week regimen of therapywith G-CSF.

FIG. 2 shows the response of patient D during treatment and retreatment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is a discovery of the present inventors that immune modulatoryfactors which act at CD114, CD116, and or CDw131 can be successfullyused to treat various forms of inflammatory bowel disease. These includebut are not limited to Crohn's Disease, with or without a presentlycharacterized and identifiable specific neutrophil disorder (such asGlycogen Storage Disease 1b or Chronic Granulomatous Diseases)pouchitis, fistulas, extraintestinal manifestations of Crohn's Disease,and Ulcerative Colitis. The Ulcerative Colitis can be of any extent,including proctitis, proctosigmoiditis, left-sided colitis, orpan-colitis.

The immune modulatory factor can be any which binds to CD114, CDw131, orCD116, including G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-3, IL-5, and peptidomimetics ornon-peptidomimetics of these factors which induce tyrosinephosphorylation of multiple signaling proteins, which stimulate primarybone marrow cells to form granulocytic colonies in vitro, and/or whichelevate peripheral blood neutrophil counts. Nartograstim, myelopoietins,circularly permuted G-CSF sequences, SB247464 are among the knownmimetics of G-CSF. See, McWherter et al., Biochemistry 14:4564-71, 1999;Feng et al., Biochemistry 14:4553-63, 1999; Tian et al., Science281:257-59, 1998; and Kuwabara et al., Am. J. Physiology 271:E73-84,1996. M-CSF may also be used in accordance with the present invention.The agonist may be administered as is known in the art. Typically thiswill be by subcutaneous injection or intravenous infusion, however othermethods such as oral, intraperitoneal, subdermal, and intramuscularadministrations can be used. Doses which are delivered may be the sameas those which are delivered to stimulate an immune response in humansfor other disease purposes. Typically doses of the factors will bebetween about 0.1 and 100 μg/kg of body weight per day. More preferablythis will be between about 1.0 and 10 μg/kg of body weight per day. Mostpreferably the dose will be between about 2 and 8 μg/kg of body weightper day. Corresponding amounts of peptidomimetics andnon-peptidomimetics to achieve the same activity can be used. Whiteblood cell counts can be monitored to maintain a value in the range of10 and 60.

The immune modulatory factors are typically growth factors or colonystimulating factors which affect the growth of hematopoietic cells,particularly myeloid cells, including polymorphonuclear leukocytes,monocytes, and macrophages. Such factors include but are not limited tomyeloid cell stimulatory factors, polymorphonuclear leukocytestimulatory factors, and granulocytic cell stimulatory factors.Particularly useful factors are GCSF, GMCSF, and MCSF. Any form of suchfactors known in the art can be used. The form may be an isoform or adifferently post-translationally modified form of the factor. The factormay be one which is isolated from humans or other primates or mammals.The factor may be one which is made in a recombinant organism, frombacteria to yeast to sheep.

Diseases which are amenable to treatment as described herein include allwithin the umbrella of inflammatory bowel disease. The phrase “Crohn'sDisease not associated with disease X” as used here means that thepatient that is being. treated according to the method of the inventionhas not been diagnosed with disease X. Presently characterized andidentifiable specific neutrophil disorders caused by genetic diseasesinclude Chronic Granulomatous Disease, Glycogen storage disease 1b,leukocyte adhesion deficiency, Turner's syndrome, Chediak-Higashi,myeloproliferative disease, neutropenias of various causes, andmyelodysplastic disease. Ulcerative colitis can be manifested asproctosigmoiditis, left-sided colitis, or pan-colitis. All of these areincluded in the term “Ulcerative colitis”. Pouchitis is an inflammationof an surgically created pouch in the gastrointestinal tract.

One goal of treatment is the amelioration, either partial or complete,either temporary or permanent, of patient symptoms, includinginflammation of the mucosa, extraintestinal manifestations of thedisease, or epithelial damage. Any amelioration is considered successfultreatment. This is especially true as amelioration of some magnitude mayallow reduction of other medical or surgical treatment which may be moretoxic or invasive to the patient. Extraintestinal disease manifestationsinclude those of the liver, bile duct, eyes, and skin. Another goal ofthe treatment is to maintain a lack of excess intestinal inflammation inpersons who have already achieved remission.

The present invention is based on the theory that the fundamental immunedysregulation of Crohn's Disease results not from an excessive immuneresponse but from a primary immune deficiency. This deficiency likelyresults from genetic variations in neutrophil and/or macrophagephenotypes interacting with a discrete set of bacteria which suppressneutrophil/macrophage function. In turn, this deficiency provokes abroader compensatory response, amplifying inflammation, activatinglymphocytes, culminating in Crohn's Disease.

The recent account of patients experiencing prolonged remission afterallogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) suggests that the marrowphenotype may be central to the pathogenesis of Crohn's Disease. Fivepatients with Crohn's Disease and chronic myelogenous leukemia underwentBMT with recurrence of Crohn's Disease in only one patient who remainedchimeric with native and transplanted marrow. Conversely, the recurrenceof Crohn's Disease in transplanted small bowel reinforces the idea thata critical factor in the development of Crohn's Disease may beextraintestinal, perhaps partly an intrinsic marrow defect, and thatCrohn's Disease is not an inherent intestinal abnormality. Consequently,Crohn's Disease ought to be considered not as a disease of primaryintestinal dysfunction but the result of an interaction between marrowconstituents and the intestinal environment.

Several genetic syndromes with which Crohn's Disease has been associatedprovide insight into the possible marrow defects of Crohn's Disease. Inparticular, five genetic diseases can present with aclinical/histopathological process indistinguishable from Crohn'sDisease: chronic granulomatous disease, glycogen storage disease 1b,Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency, Chediak-Higashi syndrome and Turner'ssyndrome. A distinct deficiency in neutrophil function has beendescribed in each of these syndromes. In addition, Crohn's Disease hasbeen described in association with congenital, autoimmune, and cyclicneutropenias, familial Mediterranean fever, myelodysplastic, andmyeloproliferative diseases. The diagnosis of leukemia preceded Crohn'sDisease in nearly half the cases in the largest series and diagnosis ofmyelodysplasia and Crohn's Disease was made concomitantly in half thesubjects in another study suggesting a possible causal relationship forthe development of Crohn's Disease initiated by an accumulation ofdysfunctional neutrophils. These syndromes provide evidence that avariety of functional neutrophil deficiencies can result in apathophysiology indistinguishable from Crohn's Disease. Disorders ofneutrophil/macrophage function represent a potential starting point forunderstanding Crohn's Disease.

A role for intestinal flora has been established in Crohn's Disease.Reinforced by other evidence, the importance of the microflora has beendemonstrated by the provocation of inflammation with the directintroduction of ileostomy output into a defunctionalized intestinalsegment while a sterile, filtered fraction fails to induce diseaseactivity. While this response is considered non-specific to ubiquitousbacteria, specific alterations in the fecal flora have been identifiedin patients with Crohn's Disease compared to healthy controls. InCrohn's Disease, Bacteroides tend to be present in increased amountswhile Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria are diminished, though results ofstudies are not unanimous. Some Bacteroides species have been shown toimpair phagocytosis as well as the microbicidal activity of neutrophilsfor aerobic bacteria. A discrete subset of the intestinal flora may beresponsible for influencing neutrophil/macrophage function in Crohn'sDisease. Recent work with animal models of IBD also support a protectiverole for Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria which may act to countereffects of other bacteria and stimulate immune function. The ratiobetween these different classes of bacteria may be the critical factorin maintaining intestinal health in a susceptible subgroup.Consequently, as suggested by periodontitis, it is unlikely that asingle bacteria would be demonstrated as the sole causative agent inCrohn's Disease; instead, these data highlight the complexity ofbacterial-immune interactions. The localized nature of the interactionbetween specific bacteria and leukocytes would account for the specificintestinal manifestations, rather than more systemic findings.

Any explanation of the Crohn's Disease must account for the disease as atwentieth century phenomena in industrialized countries. The diseaseappears at best rare before Crohn's defining publication in 1932. Onepossible, relevant, radical change in the past half century may be ashift in intestinal flora. Twentieth century innovations in foodpreservation with the introduction of refrigeration and other techniquesmay have produced a fundamental change in the type and amount ofbacteria ingested, and may alter the intestinal bacterial content. Incomparison to intestinal flora in rural Africa where Crohn's Diseaseremains rare, the gut flora of westernized countries contain higherconcentrations of Bacteroides as well as decreased amounts ofBifidobacteria, perhaps predisposing the intestinal environment toimpair the host immune response and set the stage, in the susceptiblehost, for the development of Crohn's Disease.

While the human intestinal bacterial flora resists alteration, it can bemanipulated. Once established in infancy, the bacterial flora undergoessome changes after weaning but remains remarkably constant throughoutlife. The protective role of breast feeding against the development ofCrohn's Disease may be through promoting Bifidobacteria in higherconcentrations and limiting Bacteroides, an effect which has been welldocumented. The demonstrated association of increased refinedcarbohydrate intake with Crohn's Disease may be explained through itsinfluence on gut flora as well.

While a change in flora in the susceptible host may alone be sufficientand an important result of the westernized lifestyles, other factors arelikely contributory. The rise in the latter half of this century ofsmoking and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, riskfactors for Crohn's Disease, may be in part responsible for the increasein Crohn's Disease, though the nature of their influence on thepathophysiology remains uncertain. While several actions of nicotinehave been advanced for its influence on Crohn's Disease, nicotine'sprimary detrimental effect may be on neutrophil function, an effectwhich has been repeatedly demonstrated. Likewise, though numerousmechanisms have also been proposed for the deleterious effects of NSAIDson patients with IBD, NSAIDs impairment of neutrophil function may becentral to their impact on Crohn's Disease. These factors, eachsuppressing immune function, may potentiate the same pathway and promotethe development or persistence of Crohn's Disease.

The GM-CSF receptor is composed of two subunits:

1) Hs.182378 colony stimulating factor 2 receptor, alpha, low-affinity(granulocyte-macrophage) CSF2RA (CD116)

GM-CSF receptor alpha chain

The primary binding subunit of the GM-CSF receptor.

CD116 is a Type I transmembrane protein with about 400 amino acids.Extracellular, transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains consist of 297, 27,and 54 amino acid residues, respectively. There is one unit of class Icytokine receptor motif in the extracellular domain and no intrinsicenzymatic activity in the cytoplasmic domain. A number of isoforms aregenerated by alternative splicing of several soluble forms. All theisoforms are relatively minor species and their physiological functionif any is not known. One is a soluble form without the transmembranedomain and the second form is identical to the original one except thatthe last 25 amino acids of the original receptor is substituted by a 35amino acids segment.

CD116 binds GM-CSF with low affinity and binds it with high affinitywhen it is co-expressed with the common beta subunit CDw131 (the commonbeta subunit (CDw131) of the GM-CSF, IL-3, and IL-5 receptors).Expression of this subunit is found in various myeloid cells includingmacrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, dendritic cells and theirprecursors.

Tavernier et al. (1991) demonstrated that the high affinity receptor forinterleukin-5 (IL5R; 147851) and the receptor for granulocyte-macrophageCSF (CSF2R; 306250) share a beta chain. The finding provides a molecularbasis for the observation that IL5 (147850) and CSF2 (138960) canpartially interfere with each other's binding and have highlyoverlapping biologic activities on eosinophils. Kitamura et al. (1991)demonstrated that the receptor for interleukin-3 (IL3RA; 308385)likewise shares a beta subunit with CSF2R.

2) Hs.265262 colony stimulating factor 2 receptor, beta, low-affinity(granulocyte-macrophage) CSF2RB*

(CDw131)

Alternate names for CDw131 are common beta subunit INTERLEUKIN 5RECEPTOR, BETA; IL5RB INTERLEUKIN 3 RECEPTOR, BETA; IL3RB *138981GRANULOCYTE-MACROPHAGE COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR RECEPTOR, BETA; CSF2RB

CDw131 does not bind any cytokine by itself However, it is a componentof the high affinity IL-3, GM-CSF and IL-5 receptors. CDw131 is tyrosinephosphorylated upon binding of these cytokines to the high affinityreceptors. JAK2 tyrosine kinase is associated with CDw131 and tyrosinephosphorylates upon stimulation. Tyrosine phosphorylated CD131 bindsvarious signaling molecules with an SH2 domain. These include Shc, Grb2,SHP1, SHP2, P13 kinase and STAT5, making it a key signal transducingmolecule of the IL-3, GM-CSF and IL-5 receptors.

The following references are expressly incorporated herein for theirteachings regarding the common beta subunit of these receptors:

Dirksen, U.; Nishinakamura, R.; Groneck, P.; Hattenhorst, U.; Nogee, L.;Murray, R.; Burdach, S.: Human pulmonary alveolar proteinosis associatedwith a defect in GM-CSF/IL-3/IL-5 receptor common beta chain expression.J. Clin. Invest. 100:2211-2217, 1997.

Jenkins, B. J.; D'Andrea, R.; Gonda, T. J.: Activating point mutationsin the common beta subunit of the human GM-CSF, IL-3 and IL-5 receptorssuggest the involvement of beta subunit dimerization andcelltype-specific molecules in signalling. EMBO J. 14: 4276-4287, 1995.

Kitamura, T.; Sato, N.; Arai, K.; Miyajima, A.: Expression cloning ofthe human IL-3 receptor cDNA reveals a shared beta subunit for the humanIL-3 and GM-CSF receptors.

EXAMPLES Example 1

This example shows the treatment of 3 Crohn's disease patients withGM-CSF. All three meet the definition of treatment response (CDAIdecrease of greater than 70). Patients 2 and 3 are very early in theirtreatments and it appears likely that they will go into remission. Theprotocol employed is described below.

Patient 1 Pretreatment CDAI: 340.4 Week 1 CDAI: 344.4 Week 2 CDAI: 285.6Week 3 CDAI: 286.6 Week 5 CDAI: 276.4 Week 6 CDAI: 299.4 Week 8 CDAI:209.2 Patient 2 Pretreatment CDAI: 349.6 Week 1 CDAI: 274.0 Week 2 CDAI:227.0 Week 3 CDAI: 216.6 Patient 3 Pretreatment CDAI: 410.8 Week 1 CDAI:299.0 Week 2 CDAI: 231.4

Example 2

This example demonstrates the treatment of 17 Crohn's disease patientswith G-CSF.

Subjects were enrolled with active disease (CDAI>200) or with activefistulous disease. Patients were not included if otherimmunosuppressants had been used for standard periods of time (4 weeksfor steroids, azathioprine/6-MP; 3 months for infliximab) and wereallowed to be on 5-ASA products (if on for at least 8 weeks and samedose for at least 4 weeks). Subjects had a complete blood count (CBC)test weekly and were examined at least every other week for Crohn'sDisease activity index (CDAI) determination and/or evaluation offistulae. FIG. 1 shows the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) at theonset (week 0) and followed over a 12-week course of treatment. Clinical“response” in Crohn's disease protocols is typically defined as adecrease in CDAI greater than 70. Ten of the 17 patients wereresponders, with a mean decrease in disease activity of 140 points.Seven of the ten achieved remission. Seven non-responders, includingpatient M who was withdrawn early from the study for concurrent illness,had a mean increase in CDAI of 41 points. Spontaneous closure ofperianal fistulas is very rare. Our cohort included three patients withperianal fistula. At completion of therapy, all three patients hadfistulas which closed. Conversion of a draining fistula to an abscess(seen ˜10% of the time with Infliximab treatment) occurred in onepatient. This is believed to reflect closure of the fistula tract at theskin before closure of the internal opening to the intestine. Increasingdisease activity in several patients as G-CSF was tapered (per originalprotocol), suggested the possibility of a dose response effect.Accordingly, the protocol was amended for different dosing and to permitpatient re-treatment. FIG. 2 shows the overall treatment course forpatient D. A dramatic improvement resulted from the initial 12 weekG-CSF course, coupled with a significant decrease in erythrocytesedimentation index (ESR, a non-specific marker for inflammation).Discontinuation of therapy between weeks 12 to 16 was associated withincreasing disease activity, which again rapidly responded toreinstitution of G-CSF therapy.

Example 3

This example shows the protocol for a further study of the method of thepresent invention using G-CSF

An open-labeled trial of G-CSF for 12 weeks for patients with active CDand/or active fistulae secondary to Crohn's disease is initiated. Thetrial involves two separate, interrelated protocols. In conjunction withthis treatment protocol, functional neutrophil studies are performed.

Treatment of active mucosal inflammation in Crohn's disease is theprimary focus of Part A. Disease activity is defined by a standardCrohn's disease activity index. Patients are enrolled if they havemoderate to severe disease activity using entry criteria outlined below.The study is an open-labeled study of fifteen patients with a dosetitration protocol designed to provide neutrophil functional stimulationand achieve a moderate leukocytosis. Each subject is studied for twelveweeks of every day subcutaneous administration of G-CSF. Diseaseactivity is followed by standard CDAI, and the quality of life (IBDQ)scale. We are treating new patients (those not included in our initialstudy) and offer retreatment to any of the previously treated mucosapatients meeting inclusion criteria.

The primary focus of Part B is to determine the efficacy of G-CSF inpatients with perianal and rectovaginal fistula associated with Crohn'sdisease. Perianal fistulae are common lesions in Crohn's disease andpose a serious threat to the integrity of the normal rectal sphincter.Current therapy for these lesions are suboptimal. This study is designedas an open-labeled study of fifteen patients with a dose titrationprotocol designed to stimulate neutrophil function and associatedleukocytosis. Fistulae are assessed by photography, standard examinationscoring criteria, as well as a patient subjective assessment of pain,drainage, and overall well-being. Each subject is studied for twelveweeks on daily subcutaneous G-CSF. Disease activity is also monitored bystandard CDAI, and the quality of life (IBDQ) scale.

On the basis of extensive investigational and ongoing internationalclinical experience with G-CSF, the safety profile is well known. Inaddition, several patients with active Crohn's disease or Crohn's likeintestinal disease have been reported in the medical literature who havebeen successfully treated (for coexisting disorders) with GM-CSF orG-CSF without any serious or significant adverse effects. Based on theextensive clinical experience with G-CSF and the preliminary evidence ofthe reported cases, no predictable risks are anticipated at the dosesstudied. Nevertheless, as this is a new and counterintuitive approach toa chronic inflammatory disease, we are closely monitoring patients forsafety and any adverse effects during this protocol.

Treatment Groups

Part A. Treatment of moderate to severe Crohn's disease. Patients areassigned to receive a starting dose of 3.5 micrograms/kilogram/day ofG-CSF as a subcutaneous bolus injection. Dosages are adjusted asoutlined below, “ANC response-based dosing of G-CSF.” Treatmentcontinues for 12 weeks. CDAI is calculated at enrollment, at the startof therapy, and every other week. The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Qualityof Life Survey is completed initially and at weeks four, eight, twelve,and sixteen. Follow-up is performed at week 16 with telephone follow-upmonthly out to six months from the date of enrollment or up to relapse.

Part B. Treatment of perianal and rectovaginal fistula in Crohn'sdisease. Patients are assigned to receive a starting dose of 3.5micrograms/kilogram/day of G-CSF as a subcutaneous bolus injection.Dosages are adjusted as outlined below—“ANC response-based dosing ofG-CSF.” Patients who have closed all fistulae before week 8, have G-CSFtherapy discontinued at 8 weeks. Patients who have had partial or noresponse are treated for a full twelve weeks. Fistulae are assessed atweeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 by physical examination scoring criteria,photography, and a subjective patient survey. CDAI is calculated atenrollment, at the start of therapy, and every other week. TheInflammatory Bowel Disease Quality of Life Survey is completed initiallyand at weeks four, eight, twelve, and sixteen. Follow-up is performed atweek 16 with telephone follow-up monthly out to six months from the dateof enrollment or up to relapse.

Inclusion Criteria

1) Age greater than or equal to 18 years old.

2) History of Crohn's disease for at least three months with extent ofdisease described endoscopically or radiologically within the past threeyears. Patients in Part B must have had previous characterization oftheir perianal disease (e.g., clinical exam, exam under anesthesia(EUA), magnetic resonance imaging, or CT scan).

3) Part A: Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI)>200 and <450. Part B:At least 1 draining perianal and/or rectovaginal fistula, refractory togeneral medical management. Previously treated patients who have had aprevious response or remission are eligible for retreatment if they haveevidence of increased disease activity manifest by reopening ofpreviously closed fistulas (Part B) or who have a CDAI of >220 and havean absolute increase of more than 70 from the treatment nadir (Part A).

4) If on aminosalicylate medication (Sulfasalazine, Pentasa, Asacol,Dipentum, Rowasa enemas), must be on for eight weeks and a stable dosefor four weeks. If recently discontinued, must be off for at least twoweeks prior to study enrollment.

5) If using oral corticosteroids, patients must have been using them formore than 8 weeks, and been on a stable dose (<20 mg/day of prednisoneequivalent) for at least 4 weeks prior to trial enrollment.

6) Patients must be off antibiotics for at least two weeks, or if onantibiotics, therapy must be for at least 8 weeks and the patient mustbe on a stable dose for 4 weeks. Antibiotic use at any time for reasonsother than Crohn's disease (e.g. urinary tract infection) is allowed.

7) If female and pre-menopausal, a negative serum beta-HCG must beobtained at the screening visit and use of one of the following forms ofcontraception must be documented: diaphragm, condom, cervical cap,abstinence or surgical tubal ligation. Patients must agree to useadequate birth control methods until at least 2 months after the lastdose of G-CSF.

8) Negative stool tests for routine culture and sensitivity, ova andparasites, and C. difficile toxin.

9) Written informed consent has been obtained and patients must be ableto adhere to the study visit schedule and protocol.

Exclusion Criteria

1) NSAID or ASA ingestion within two weeks of study entry.

2) GI surgery within three months of entry into study.

3) Use of azathioprine, 6-MP, methotrexate or any other immunesuppressant in the previous four weeks. Use of infliximab (Remicade)within the previous 12 weeks. Use of any investigation agent (aside fromG-CSF) within the previous four weeks or five half-lives of the studymedication, whichever is longer.

4) Presence of an ostomy in the mucosa arm. Ostomies are allowed in thefistula arm—a modified CDAI is applied.

5) A patient with any of the following medical conditions: Liver diseasewith a prothrombin time >2 second prolongation, portal hypertension,severe hypertension (systolic blood pressure >200 mmHg or a diastolicblood pressure>105 mmHg), renal failure requiring dialysis or acreatinine >2.5, presence of a transplanted organ.

6) Patients with a known, clinically significant, small intestine orcolonic stenosis or stricture.

7) A history of leukemia or lymphoma, or other lymphoproliferativedisease, or signs and symptoms of lymphoproliferative disease such asabnormal cells on CBC, or suggestive physical exam findings oflymphadenopathy of unusual size or location.

8) Evidence of abscess or active Crohn's disease related infections inneed of surgical drainage

9) Known recent substance abuse (drugs or alcohol).

10) History of gout.

11) Significant unexplained abnormalities in any of the prescreeningblood work.

12) Known hypersensitivity to E. coli-derived proteins.

Physician Visits

New patients are screened within 14 days of initiating the medicationwith a history, physical and recall estimation of a Crohn's diseaseactivity index (CDAI). If the estimated CDAI is >200 and <450, subjectshave a CBC drawn, beta-HCG (if female and premenopausal) and complete adiary for 1 consecutive week within the next 14 days. The subject willreturn for initiation at day 0. If subject meets entry/exclusioncriteria, blood is drawn for CBC, electrolytes, BUN, creatinine, liverenzymes (AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin), albumin, ESR, andCRP.

Instruction is provided for self-administration of the medication(subcutaneous injection). Subjects are titrated to a stable WBC response. Patients are seen and examined by a physician on weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6,8, 10, 12, and for the required post treatment visit at week 16. A dailydiary is completed throughout the period of administration of themedication. Telephone calls are performed monthly, starting at theconclusion of G-CSF therapy and continued through six months to assessdisease activity and adverse effects. At each visit, patients areprovided a sufficient supply of medication to continue administrationthrough the next visit.

Laboratory Blood Tests

CBC are performed at screening, at the times indicated by the flow sheetduring treatment, and at the scheduled visit 4 weeks after completion oftherapy. A panel of serum chemistry studies (electrolytes, BUN,creatinine, liver enzymes (AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin) ismeasured at screening, and at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16. C-Reactive Protein(CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are measured at week 0,2, 4, 8, 12, and 16. Laboratory results that deviate significantly frombaseline (except the WBC and alkaline phosphatase) are repeated byobtaining new samples.

ANC response-based dosing of G-CSF

Initial dose: 3.5 micrograms per kilogram per day SQ. Doses are based onthe patient enrollment weight.

Decreases based on HIGH ANC

Patients with an ANC>60,000/mm³ (60.0×10⁹/L) have their dose decreasedby 1.0 micrograms per kilogram per day. Otherwise, subsequent doseadjustments are made in 0.5 mcg/kg/day increments. CBC with differentialare drawn in one week. Subsequent dose modifications are made asfollows.

1. For a patient with an ANC>50,000/mm³, the next scheduled dose islowered by 0.5 mcg/kg/day. The ANC is rechecked in 1 week.

2. For a patient with an ANC of between 40-50,000/mm³, the nextscheduled dose is kept the same. The ANC is rechecked in 1 week.

3. For a patient with two consecutive ANC measurements between40-50,000/mm³, the next ANC measurement is performed at the nextscheduled physician visit.

Increases Based on LOW ANC

Patients with an ANC<30,000/mm³ (30.0×10⁹/L) have their dose increasedby 1.0 micrograms per kilogram per day. CBC with differential are drawnin one week. Subsequent dose modifications are made as follows.

1. For a patient with an ANC<40,000/mm3, the next scheduled dose isincreased by 0.5 mcg/kg/day. The ANC is rechecked in 1 week.

2. For a patient with an ANC of between 40-50,000/mm³, the nextscheduled dose is kept the same. The ANC is rechecked in 1 week.

3. For a patient with two consecutive ANC measurements between40-50,000/mm³, the next ANC measurement is performed at the nextscheduled physician visit.

Physicians may decrease dosages as necessary due to severe bone pain.Once the ANC has been in the target range (40-50) on two consecutivemeasurements, monitoring is increased to the next scheduled physicianvisit. Physician or nurse coordinators review the CBC results and callthe patient with any dosage change.

Example 4

This example shows the protocol for a further study of the method of thepresent invention using GM-CSF.

An open-labeled, pilot, dose escalation study of GM-CSF is performed inpatients with CD. Fifteen patients are enrolled with active disease(Crohn's Disease Activity Index- CDAI>200 and <450). Patients arerequired not to have used steroids, azathioprine of other immunemodulator for four weeks. NSAID use is not allowed for two weeks priorto or throughout the study. An open-labeled dose escalation study isconducted in three groups of five (4 mcg/kg/day; 6 mcg/kg/day; 8mcg/kg/day) Neutrophil function is tested before the initiation ofGM-CSF and at week eight (two weeks after the completion of six weeks ofadministration of the medication) to assess neutrophil chemotaxis andsuperoxide production. CBC is examined on day 0, 7 and then weeklyexcept for week 5. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and erythrocytesedimentation rate (ESR) is examined every two weeks. Patients areexamined weekly during the trial with telephone calls once a week aswell for safety monitoring. Patients complete a daily diary throughoutthe study. CDAI is calculated weekly and an Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseQuality of Life Survey is completed at week 0, week four and week eight.Follow-up is performed at week 8, and 12 with telephone follow-upmonthly for six months.

Inclusion Criteria

1) Age over 16 years old.

2) History of Crohn's disease for at least three months with extent ofdisease described endoscopically or radiologically within the past twoyears.

3) Crohn's disease activity index>200 and <450.

4) If on a mesalamine medication (sulfasalazine, Pentasa, Asacol.Dipentum, Rowasa enemas), must be on for eight weeks and a stable dosefor four weeks.

5) If on antibiotics, must be on stable doses for at least six weeks.

6) If female and pre-menopausal, a negative serum beta-HCG must beobtained at the screening visit and use of one of the following forms ofcontraception must be documented: diaphragm, condom, cervical cap,abstinence or surgical tubal ligation.

7) Negative stool tests for routine culture and sensitivity and C.difficile assay.

8) Written informed consent has been obtained.

Exclusion Criteria

1) NSAID or ASA ingestion within two weeks of study entry.

2) GI surgery within three months of entry into study.

3) Use of steroids, azathioprine, 6-MP, methotrexate or any other immunesuppressant in the previous four weeks. Use of infliximab (Remicade)within the previous 12 weeks. Use of any investigation agent within theprevious four weeks or five half-lives of the study medication,whichever is longer.

4) Presence of an ostomy.

5) A patient with any of the following medical conditions: Liver diseasewith a prothrombin time>2 second prolongation; portal hypertension;severe hypertension (systolic blood pressure >200 mmHg or a diastolicblood pressure >105 mmHg); renal failure requiring dialysis or acreatinine >2.5.

6) Patients with a clinically significant tight small intestine orcolonic stenosis or stricture.

7) A history of leukemia or lymphoma.

Physician Visits

Subjects are screened within 14 days of initiating the medication with ahistory, physical and recall estimation of a Crohn's disease activityindex (CDAI). If the estimated CDAI is >200 and <450, subjects have aCBC drawn, beta-HCG if female and premenopausal) and complete a diaryfor 1 consecutive week within the next 14 days. The subject returns forinitiation at day 0. If subject meets entry/exclusion criteria, blood isdrawn for CBC, BUN, creatinine, liver enzymes (AST, ALT, alkalinephosphatase, bilirubin), Albumin, ESR, CRP and neutrophil studies (seesection below). Instruction is provided for self-administration of themedication (IM injection). Subject visits weekly except for week five.Visits are required at week 8 and 12. A daily diary is completedthroughout the period of administration of the medication. Telephonecalls are performed weekly during the medication period through week 8and monthly through six months to assess disease activity and adverseeffects. At each visit, patients are provided a sufficient supply ofmedication in preloaded syringes to continue administration through thenext physician visit.

Dose Adjustment

Patients with an absolute neutrophil count of >30,000 have dose held for3 days when a CBC rechecked. If the ANC is <30,000 the dose is resumedat 2 mcg/kg/day lower than the dose administered when the leukocytosisoccurred.

Study Failure

Patients are considered to have failed therapy if their CDAI increasesby >125 points on two separate occasions during the study ordeteriorates in any way considered significantly worse by thephysicians.

Assessment of Treatment Efficacy

Assessment is determined by a decrease in CDAI with remission considereda CDAI<150 and in significant improvement considered a decrease of atleast 70 points. Treatment failure is considered inability to toleratethe therapy, a worsening of disease (more than 100 points) or need touse additional medication for management of Crohn's disease. IBDQ isalso performed at 3 time points: at initiation of therapy at week 3 andat week 6. Note: CDAI is calculated with and without febrile episodes.As GM-CSF can induce febrile episodes, the CDAI, which includes feversas one extra intestinal manifestation in the calculation of diseaseactivity score, for calculating the index, is calculated with andwithout fevers assessed. Entry criteria are calculated including febrileepisodes.

Possible Adverse Events

The principal concern is lack of effect or an exacerbation of disease.The serious toxicities reported have been associated with doses greaterthan 10 mcg/kg/day. Systemic symptoms were identified in 27% of patientsin a review of 295 patients in phase I and phase II studies. Bone pain(21%) and fever (18%) were the most commonly reported events thoughthese symptoms were severe in <2% of patients. Fevers can bewell-managed with acetaminophen. These reactions are less common atdoses proposed in this protocol. Skin reactions at sites of subcutaneousinjection are usually mild or moderate and resolve on discontinuation.The range of doses to be tested here is 4-8 mcg/kg/day.

Patients receiving GM-CSF (Sargramostim) have experienced fever; chills;nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; fatigue; weakness; headache; decreasedappetite; thrombosis; rapid or irregular heartbeat or other heartproblems; feeling of faintness; facial flushing; pain in the bones,muscles, chest abdomen, or joints; local reaction at the site ofinjection; rashes; and kidney and liver dysfunction.

There have been infrequent reports of fluid accumulation or worsening ofpre-existing fluid accumulation in the extremities, in the lungs, andaround the heart which may result in breathing problems or heartfailure. Rarely, patients have developed acute allergic reactions. Therehave been reports of low blood pressure, hypoxia (low oxygen), transientloss of consciousness, and difficulty in breathing after the firstinjection of Sargramostim. These signs may or may not recur withadditional injections of Sargramostim. Patients with prior heart, lung,kidney or liver problems may have worsening of their symptoms followingadministration of Sargramostim. There may be other side effects thatcould occur.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treating Crohn's Disease comprising:administering to a patient with Crohn's Disease not associated withGlycogen Storage Disease 1b an immune stimulatory amount of an agonistof CD116.
 2. A method of treating Crohn's Disease comprising:administering to a patient with Crohn's Disease not associated withChronic Granulomatous Disease an immune stimulatory amount of an agonistof CD116.
 3. A method of treating Crohn's Disease comprising:administering to a patient with Crohn's Disease not associated with apresently characterized and identifiable specific neutrophil disordercaused by a genetic disease an immune stimulatory amount of an agonistof CD116.
 4. The method of claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein the patient hasmucosal inflammatory disease of at least one of the small intestine,colon, or rectum, and the amount of colony stimulating factoradministered is sufficient to reduce the mucosal inflammation.
 5. Themethod of claim 4 wherein the amount of colony stimulating factoradministered is sufficient to induce remission of the mucosal disease.6. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the patient has epithelialdamage of at least one of the small intestine, colon, or rectum, and theamount of colony stimulating factor administered is sufficient to repairthe epithelial damage.
 7. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein theamount of colony stimulating factor administered is sufficient to reducethe patient's symptoms.
 8. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein thepatient has a fistula or a perianal abscess, and the amount of colonystimulating factor administered is sufficient to reduce the fistula orperianal abscess.
 9. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3 or,wherein thepatient is in remission.
 10. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein thepatient has received surgical therapy of affected portions of thegastrointestinal tract.
 11. The method of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein thepatient has an extraintestinal manifestation of Crohn's disease and theamount of colony stimulating factor administered is sufficient to reducethe extraintestinal manifestation.
 12. The method of claim 11 whereinthe extraintestinal manifestation is an inflammatory eye disorder. 13.The method of claim 12 wherein the inflammatory eye disorder is selectedfrom the group consisting of: iritis, uveitis, and episcleritis.
 14. Themethod of claim 12 wherein the extraintestinal manifestation a skindisorder.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the skin disorder isselected from the group consisting of: pyoderma gangrenosum and erythemanodosum.
 16. The method of claim 11 wherein the extraintestinalmanifestation is a liver disorder.
 17. The method of claim 16 whereinthe liver disorder is primary sclerosing cholangitis.
 18. The method ofclaim 11 wherein the extraintestinal manifestation is bile duct disease.19. The method of claim, 11 wherein the extraintestinal manifestation isstomach inflammation.
 20. The method of claim 11 wherein theextraintestinal manifestation is esophageal disease.
 21. The method ofclaim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the agonist is GM-CSF.